The trend of using bamboo in fabrics for clothing and bedding has increased in recent years. Partly due to its status as an ethical and sustainable resource, but also because of its versatility and luxurious feel.
But what are the benefits of bamboo face masks? They’re super soft on your skin, thermoregulating so you don’t perspire, antibacterial to improve hygiene and far more eco-friendly than cotton.
(Looking to buy face coverings? Skip to our favourite sellers here)
10 reasons to choose a bamboo fabric face mask and not a cotton one
- Eco-Friendly: Bamboo fabric is derived from the fast-growing bamboo plant, which is a highly sustainable resource. Choosing a bamboo fabric face mask helps reduce reliance on water-intensive cotton farming, making it an eco-friendly choice.
- Antibacterial Properties: Bamboo fabric naturally possesses antibacterial properties, thanks to a bio-agent called “bamboo kun.” This makes bamboo masks more resistant to bacterial growth compared to cotton masks.
- Moisture-Wicking: Bamboo fabric has excellent moisture-wicking properties, meaning it can efficiently absorb moisture away from the skin. This feature helps keep your face dry and comfortable, especially during hot and humid weather, making it an ideal choice for face masks.
- Hypoallergenic: Bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin. It is less likely to cause irritation, redness, or allergic reactions, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
- Odor-Resistant: The antibacterial properties of bamboo fabric also help in reducing odors. Bamboo masks are less prone to develop unpleasant smells compared to cotton masks, ensuring a fresher experience.
- UV Protection: Bamboo fabric offers natural UV protection, shielding your face from harmful sun rays. While not a substitute for sunscreen, this added layer of protection can be beneficial, particularly in sunny conditions.
- Softness: Bamboo fabric is known for its soft and silky texture, providing a luxurious feel against the skin. This softness can be more comfortable on your face compared to the sometimes rougher texture of cotton masks
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Bamboo plants absorb more carbon dioxide and release more oxygen compared to other plants. By choosing a bamboo fabric face mask, you contribute to reducing your carbon footprint and combatting climate change.
- Durability: Bamboo fabric is known for its strength and durability. It can withstand frequent washing and maintain its shape and quality for a longer time compared to cotton, ensuring your mask lasts longer.
- Versatility: Bamboo fabric can be blended with other materials like organic cotton or spandex to enhance its properties further. This versatility allows for a wider range of options when choosing a bamboo fabric face mask that meets your specific needs.
Bamboo is Super Soft
When bamboo is mechanically processed and spun into super soft bamboo fabric it’s just as soft as cashmere and as smooth as silk, but with added benefits both from the way the fabric feels and its impact on the planet during the manufacturing process.
When viewed under a microscope, bamboo fibres can be seen to have rounded ends instead of pointy or blunt, which is what contributes towards making the fabric feel so, so good.
Bamboo is strong, affordable and super soft and cosy. People liken the feel of a bamboo face covering to that of silk or cashmere, it’s THAT soft.
As you wash your face mask again and again the ends of the bamboo fibres get smoother and it actually improves the feel of softness and luxury.
In fact, bamboo is so soft, so hypoallergenic and with its antibacterial nature, it’s used in much more than just clothing.
Towels, bandages, masks and nurses’ uniforms have all been made from bamboo.
Bamboo fabric is incredibly durable despite its soft, delicate feel and will last for years with the correct care, remembering to wash your masks with gentle detergent, low heat and a delicate cycle. .
Bamboo is Thermoregulating
Will bamboo clothing keep me warm or cool?
The fabric of your bamboo face mask has a clever structure that keeps you cooler when it’s warm, and warmer when it’s cool.
The rounded ends on the bamboo fibres create minuscule airgaps throughout the weave of the fabric which makes it a naturally breathable material making it easier for you to regulate your temperature.
Antibacterial and Odor resistant.
Bamboo has naturally antibacterial qualities.
It absorbs moisture from your body in order to keep you comfortable at a rate 4 times as much as cotton does!
Wicking away the moisture from the skin reduces the growth rate of bacteria which is what turns perspiration into an unpleasant body odour.
Hypoallergenic
Due to fewer chemicals being used in both the farming and manufacturing stages, bamboo fabrics are very well suited to those who have allergy issues or sensory issues when it comes to fabric.
Be sure to double-check that the fabric used to make your face covering has been mechanically processed rather than using chemicals and it’s even better.
Eco Friendly and sustainable
The reason you’re even looking at switching to bamboo is of course the fact that its usage, growth and manufacturing process have far less of an impact on the planet than other fabric sources, even organic cotton.
Unlike cotton, bamboo doesn’t require any additional fertilizers or pesticides to grow and can regenerate itself from the roots. This means no replanting which means less machinery and fewer resources such as oil and gas required in order to produce it.
Bamboo also absorbs almost 30% more carbon dioxide than other plants and trees, including cotton.
How to recycle bamboo face masks
Once your face covering is worn out and old, it can be fully recycled, or even composted.
The good news is that most bamboo items of clothing are biodegradable, even if that means taking some care to remove the non-biodegradable parts first (the top-selling bamboo jeans from BAM have a button which unscrews and no rivets to make it easier to recycle this way).
You may need to remove buttons, elastics or zips depending on the item of clothing being composted (Or be prepared to be fishing out these items from your compost heap in a year’s time!)
You might ask whether you can do this with any all-natural fibres and you’d be correct, but as explained earlier in this article, bamboo also has some additional ecological and ethical advantages over cotton, linen or hemp garments.
Bamboo fabrics typically take around 1 year to decompose in an active and maintained compost heap or bin.
How to wash and dry bamboo face coverings?
Bamboo fabric keeps the strength of the bamboo plant and is incredibly durable, outlasting cotton equivalents when cared for properly.
When washing your bamboo face masks they should be washed in a gentle detergent just as you would wool or other delicate items, on a gentle, cooler cycle of your washing machine.
Washing at a cool temperature or a cold wash helps to maintain the shape of the mask and reduces possible shrinkage.
Looking to switch2bamboo for your face coverings?
Theya healthcare’s multifunctional face coverings are made with 85% bamboo.
The material is as soft as cashmere and kind to sensitive skin, meaning you can wear it for long periods of time without irritation.
Made with 95% bamboo, NxtStop’s bamboo masks are the perfect combination of comfort and protection for both everyday use and travel situations.
The Travleisure face mask is architected to fit as snugly as you need but provides ultimate breathability for life on the go.
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